No solid answers on policy from WIN Leader Azruddin Mohamed

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 1:49 by Writer

Leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed on Monday had no proper answers on policy matters or why Guyanese should vote for him in the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections because he has been sanctioned by the United States (U.S.) for alleged tax evasion on gold exports.

“I travel the length and breadth of this country and listen to concerns from tens of thousands of my fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters. Based on that, that is how, we will put the policies in place very shortly,” he told reporters shortly after presenting his party’s list of candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). He asked for patience as his party gets over the nomination process. GECOM will Friday decide which parties fulfill all of the requirements to go forward and contest the polls.

He said high on his agenda is to “uplift the lives of the people” but he could not provide any details when asked by reporters. On whether former Public Service Minister under APNU+AFC, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley would be his running mate, he said “maybe”.

He shrugged off suggestions that he was short on policies and was bluffing his way to the presidency.

A New and United Guyana Leader, Dr Mark France, who endorsed WIN, stepped in to rescue Mr Mohamed. “Team WIN is much more than one person. Team WIN is a team and we are coming with a people-centered policy that will look at the people. Our interactions with the people have given us all of the issues that the people are facing and we will look at best how to address these issues that the people are facing,” he said. He promised a “power packed” manifesto.

The WIN leader would only say, “Sir, very shortly we will be addressing all these matters. We just have to cross all these hurdles. You know the kind of victimisation I’m getting” when he was asked about his policy on energy security as part of the wider Caribbean and Latin American region.

Dr France did not allow Mr Mohamed to respond to the question about what role he envisages Guyana playing in CARICOM especially given its oil wealth. “Guyana is one of the leading nations in CARICOM and we have seen great importance in the role of Guyana with regard to CARICOM and we will continue to play that role,” he said. He said a WIN administration would diversify Guyana’s economy and the wealth passed on to Guyanese.

Dr France said WIN would be placing great focus on education. He also said a WIN-led administration would do nothing to jeopardise its relations with friendly nations that support its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Quizzed on why Guyanese should vote for him because he has been sanctioned by the U.S. with the implications for the financial sector, Mr Mohamed said “Remember, at the end of the day, I’m the only one looking out for the Guyanese. I’m the only one representing so that is why the Guyanese they believe in me and trust me to be the leader for them,” he said.

Mr Mohamed said much depends on GECOM’s decision to allow WIN to contest the elections when he was questioned about what he would say to Guyanese to convince theme to vote for him, “At the end of the day, most likely everything will be approved here,” he said in reference to GECOM’s nomination process. Mr Mohamed said the sanctions matter insofar as they relate to his businesses.

The WIN Leader said he was not putting Guyana at risk and instead, it was “the government that is putting Guyana at risk.” He added that the sanctions could not affect him because “Guyana is a sovereign State”.

His response was “very soon” when asked when he would be launching his campaign and holding a news conference. Mr Mohamed’s campaign has been largely based on community outreaches and edited versions of those events that are posted on social media.

Despite the sanctions, which adversely impacted on his bank accounts, Mr Mohamed said he had been relying on “some of my savings” to assist people and “for me to survive on”. On whether he was prepared to be arrested before the elections, he remarked, “God is in charge” but he was unaware of such a plan.